Jaya expels ex-MP for BJP gaffe

G.C. SHEKHAR

Chennai, May 15: Jayalalithaa today expelled a former Rajya Sabha member who had said yesterday that the AIADMK chief would support the NDA after the results were announced, citing her “excellent” relations with Narendra Modi.

K. Malalisamy, a retired IAS officer, has been expelled from the party for bringing disrepute to it.

Malaisamy had earlier been sidelined in the party and was not allowed to appear on TV panel discussions. Sources said he had not even spoken to Jayalalithaa in the past three years. He had probably hoped to get back into Amma’s good books by jumping the gun and predicting her post-results course of action.

Instead, he earned her wrath for speaking out of turn and that too on a key policy decision he was not privy to.

“In our party, only our leader takes such key decisions. Even the so-called discussions that she has with senior functionaries are a mere formality,” s senior party MP said.

“Often, even they (party seniors) get to know about important decisions only after the media flashes her press statements. So, Malaisamy had no business speaking to the media. Moreover, he was only kite-flying.”

Jayalalithaa’s iron grip on her party is reflected in her 13 cabinet shuffles since May 2011. She has axed several senior ministers and changed the Assembly Speaker.